Computerised physician-order entry (CPOE) is a system where medical professional enter and send the treatment instructions and medications electronically instead of using paper chart method. computerised decision-support system (CDSS) is an application that helps healthcare providers in making therapeutic decisions, implement evidence- based clinical guidelines at the point- of- care.

These are significant in the hospital settings to improve efficacy, patient safety and help healthcare officials in complex decision making. A clinical trial was conducted in three Swiss hospitals involving 24 wards to measure the effect of CDSS with CPOE on improving prescribing and reducing hospital antibiotic use before the COVID-19 pandemic. While some studies have shown that CDSS can be used to increase adherence to antimicrobial use/stewardship guidelines in hospitals, this study showed that the addition of a CDSS for antibiotic prescribing does not reduce overall antibiotic use in settings specially, if the setting is experienced with electronic tools and a well-established antimicrobial stewardship programme.

There is a need a need of a framework to evaluate CDSSs for antimicrobial prescribing in diverse setting. To know more about study findings, please visit The Lancet Infectious Diseases (Link).